Image Forming Apparatus Power State Control via Factor Analysis
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Solution Overview
Problem
Image forming apparatuses are unable to shift to sleep mode when the power saving switch is turned OFF due to various disabling causes, leading to shutdown instead of entering a low-power state, which is undesirable for power conservation.
Innovation Solution
The apparatus employs a system with a reception unit, analysis unit, and control unit to determine the cause of sleep mode disabling and either transition to a lower power state or wait for the cause to be resolved, allowing the apparatus to shift to sleep mode when possible, thereby increasing the likelihood of entering a low-power state without immediate shutdown.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Loss of energy
If the image forming apparatus is configured to shift to sleep mode when the power saving switch is turned OFF, then power consumption is reduced, but the apparatus cannot enter sleep mode when certain abnormal conditions exist (such as processing that cannot be interrupted)
Solution Approach 1:
The system changes the power state parameter dynamically based on the analysis result. When abnormal conditions are detected, the system maintains the current power state instead of transitioning to sleep mode, thus avoiding interruption of critical processing while still enabling power saving when conditions permit
Solution Approach 2:
The analysis unit acts as an intermediary between the power saving switch and the power state control. It analyzes the current processing state and determines whether transitioning to sleep mode is safe, thereby mediating between power saving requirements and processing reliability
2Reliability
If the apparatus immediately shuts down when unable to shift to sleep mode, then processing integrity is maintained, but user expectation for power saving is not met
Solution Approach 1:
The system performs preliminary analysis of the processing state before executing shutdown. By identifying whether the processing can be safely interrupted or deferred, the system can delay shutdown timing to satisfy user power saving expectations while maintaining processing integrity through controlled resumption
3Reliability
If the apparatus waits for the cause to be resolved before shifting to sleep mode, then processing safety is ensured, but power consumption increases during the waiting period
Solution Approach 1:
The system applies partial power saving by transitioning to a partial sleep state where non-critical components are powered down while critical processing continues. This allows partial energy reduction during the waiting period without completely shutting down, balancing power saving with processing safety
Data Source
AI summary
An information processing apparatus includes, a reception unit configured to receive an instruction to transfer the information processing apparatus to the second power state, an analysis unit configured, when the reception unit receives the instruction, to analyze a factor limiting the transfer of the information processing apparatus to the second power state, and a control unit configured, when the analysis unit analyzes the factor and as a result the factor is a first factor, to control the information processing apparatus to transfer to the third power state without waiting until the factor is resolved, and configured, when the factor is a second factor, to control the information processing apparatus to wait until the factor is resolved, and to transfer to the second power state.